2/11/09

It's Wednesday and it's time to open the scriptures (and our minds and hearts) to the Word we will hear proclaimed, sung and preached this weekend. For the texts and background material on them, visit the St. Louis University site which is so helpful in this regard. Bringing young ones to Mass with you this weekend? Here's some help from the Sadlier site for the kids.

The first lesson this Sunday (Leviticus) gives us a graphic view of those considered unclean by virtue of disease. In the gospel (Mark) Jesus heals a leper who disregards the Lord's instruction to keep the healing a secret. A very brief reading from Paul (1 Corinthians) considers how early Christians were to treat food that may have been sacrificed to pagan idols before being served at the table. Interesting texts! Spend some time with them to prepare for Sunday worship.

Who are the social outcasts of today? They are all around us in our lives. Also, today they might include people like Cardinal Law or even Bishop Williamson. No doubt, in these cases, it is a huge challenge to overcome our anger and hurt and be welcoming and compassionate as Christ would be. Like the leper in the gospel we should ask to be personally healed..."If you wish, you can make me clean." Then...how could we possibly keep quiet?

The reading about the leper was a part of the 7th grade faith formation curriculum this week. The goal was to identify all the emotions that Jesus felt so the kids could "RELATE" to the emotions they feel....thus building a RELATionship with him. So important on their pre-teen journey from their childlike blind acceptance of their parents' faith to the mature choice they will make at confirmation. Just FYI none of them knew what a leper was!

Our daughter saw first hand as a volunteer for Rostro de Cristo in Ecuador. Part of her work there was at the Damien House where people with Hanson's Disease (leprosy) live (because they are outcasts) and are cared for.

As a Peace Corps Volunteer, I was a Community Health Educator and I found myself doing mostly AIDS education. True, it is not leprosy, but what I saw was the same- the people with AIDS, or even just thought to have AIDS, were outcast and had to live by themselves often in areas that were physically hard to get to because of the terrain of the island. Part of my job was to educate the people with a goal to give the afflicted people the care they needed and not be afraid of them... I did actually see a receptiveness to the information I was giving and although I knew it would take time, I saw hope there.

WORD FOR THE WEEKEND 3/8

Click on the bible for this coming Sunday's readings and some notes to help you understand them.

A Blessing for Lent

Click above for a sung Lenten blessing

Lent 2015

For a pocket cross with this scripture verse, send a stamped self-addressed envelope to Concord Pastor, 55 Church Street, Concord, MA 01742

Music for Winter Prayer

(Click on the image for a prayer)

href="http://ekaterinasfluff.com/album/the-keys-of-e">The Keys of E by Ekaterina

A daily prayer

A song and prayer for Lent

I need a clean heart this Lent, Lord, so in these 40 days I pray you'll: sweep, dust, cleanse, mend, repair, forgive, purify and strengthen this heart of mine... And because I need a new spirit within me, Lord, I pray you'll: renew my listless spirit, lift up my drooping spirit, rekindle my burned-out spirit, open up my selfish spirit, refresh my failing spirit, energize my tired spirit, pardon my sinful spirit and put a right spirit within me, within this heart of mine...

Are you thinking about becoming a Catholic?

The best place to start is always one of your local Catholic churches. Drop in some Sunday and see what's going on. Then you might speak to the pastor or someone on the parish staff about how they can help you and respond to your questions.